Windows 7: Printer making loud noises

My printer is a HP Deskjet F4400 series, bought it March of 2010, and lately it has been making noises. It only happens when I turn it on or when I start printing. The best way to describe it is it is like a loud rattling sound. It lasts only 2-3 seconds, and it's not heard of again until I do another printing, or if I turn it off and then it it on again.

It doesn't affect the prints I make, and I checked inside I don't know if anything is wrong inside (I wouldn't know anyways given my lack of knowledge), it's just this loud sound that lasts a couple of seconds.

Any ideas on what it is? Is there a way to check it on my control panel or something?

Couple of things you can check. Many inkjet printers will align the cartridges at start up and just before a print job. The cartridges will glide along a rail called the carriage path. Make sure there aren't any obstructions such as dust, bits of paper, etc that could impede cartridge movement. You should also check the rollers that feed the paper in and out of the printing area. Make sure they move freely. I found a video for troubleshooting carriage issues on a Deskjet F4280. It may be similar to your F4400 or perhaps offer some other suggestions you can apply. I also found an HP support article that may help.

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HP Deskjet F4400 All-in-One Printer series*-* HP Deskjet F4200 and F4400 All-in-One Series Printers - 'The print cartridge cradle cannot move' Error Message Displays in Microsoft Windows When Printing - c01370198 - HP Business Support Center